Centrifugal caster

Abstract

A centrifugal caster arrangement including: a motor driven centrifuge arm and a weight arm connected to the centrifuge arm, with both arms being rotatable about a vertical axis. A counterweight is permanently fixed to the weight arm and a casting chamber is connected to the centrifuge arm. A melting crucible is disposed in the casting chamber. A plurality of muffle sets is provided with each muffle set including an exchangeable muffle cage and an associated casting muffle inserted therein. The casting chamber is provided with a region for mounting one of the muffle sets. Each exchangeable muffle cage is matched to its associated casting muffle according to size and weight so that the total weight of each respective muffle set is such magnitude that when each respective muffle set is mounted in the casting chamber and rotated about the vertical axis the centrifuge arm is in balance with the weight arm and the permanently fixed counterweight.

We claim: 
     
       1. A centrifugal caster arrangement comprising: a motor driven centrifuge arm; a casting chamber connected to said centrifuge arm; a weight arm connected to said centrifuge arm, both said arms being rotatable about a vertical axis; a counterweight having a permanently fixed position relative to said weight arm and being immovable relative to said casting chamber and said vertical axis; a melting crucible disposed in said casting chamber; and a plurality of muffle sets, each said muffle set comprising an exchangeable muffle cage and an associated casting muffle inserted in said exchangeable muffle cage, wherein said casting chamber is provided with a region for mounting one of said muffle sets, and each said exchangeable muffle cage is matched to its associated casting muffle according to size and weight so that the total weight of each respective muffle set is of such magnitude that when each respective muffle set is mounted in said casting chamber and rotated about said vertical axis said centrifuge arm is in balance with said weight arm and said permanently fixed counterweight. 
     
     
       2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said casting chamber is evacuatable. 
     
     
       3. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each said exchangeable muffle cage includes supports for centering a respective one of said casting muffles therein. 
     
     
       4. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each said exchangeable muffle cage has double walls. 
     
     
       5. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each said exchangeable muffle cage includes heat insulating material. 
     
     
       6. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each said exchangeable muffle cage includes at least one projection on the outside thereof. 
     
     
       7. An arrangement according to claim 1 and further including a cover for covering said casting chamber and a lever lock for arresting said cover. 
     
     
       8. An arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said cover has a contact face which faces said casting chamber and said casting chamber includes a seal adjacent said contact face. 
     
     
       9. An arrangement according to claim 8 wherein said cover includes a viewing pane.